Advocacy
Education & Community
Who We Are
We are a membership organization of Illinois anesthesiologists focused on furthering patient safety and the practice of our discipline through education, representation and advocacy for our members. We also provide our member physicians with opportunities to connect as a community through events and networking opportunities.
Over the past century, physician anesthesiologists have advanced patient safety through innovative research, science and technology advancements. Whether in the operating room, procedure room, intensive care unit or pain clinic, physician anesthesiologists are committed to delivering the safest medical care that every patient deserves before, during and after surgery.
Even though anesthesia is safer than ever, the administration of anesthesia is a complex and technically demanding medical procedure. It requires a physician who has the extensive medical education (up to 14 years) and clinical training (12,000-16,000 hours) to evaluate your medical condition, recommend an appropriate anesthesia plan, diagnose and treat problems that might surface during a procedure, and make critical, split-second decisions that can save your life.
Who is in charge of your life? You have a right to know. Before undergoing a surgical procedure, you need to know who will be providing your anesthesia and ask for your physician anesthesiologist. Be sure your physician anesthesiologist is aware of your prior anesthesia and medical history, as well as any medications you currently take.
For more information visit When Seconds Count.
PRESIDENT
Tripti Kataria, MD, MPH
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Brian Birmingham, MD
VICE PRESIDENT
Adamina Podraza, MD
SECRETARY
Ajay Gopalka, MD
TREASURER
William Hauter, MD
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Sean Adams, MD
ASA DIRECTOR
Asokumar Buvanendran, MD
ASA ALTERNATE DIRECTOR
Lisa Solomon, DO
SPEAKER
Jason Mitchell, MD
VICE-SPEAKER
Adam Young, MD
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Michael Ander, MD
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Charles Kim, MD
ISA DISTRICT DIRECTORS
I. Stephan Cohn, MD
II. Michael Haske, Jr., MD
III. Sasha Demos, MD
IV. John Sudkamp, MD
ISA ALTERNATE DISTRICT DIRECTORS
I. Barbara Jericho, MD
II. Mina Oftadeh, DO
III. Dean Monma, MD
IV. Paola Pesantes, MD
ISA PAC Chair
George Hefner, MD
ASA Delegates 2020
Sean Adams, MD
Brian Birmingham, MD
William Frame, MD
Ori Gottlieb, MD
William Hauter, MD
Tripti Kataria, MD
Charles Kim, MD
Stephen Minore, MD
Adamina Podraza, MD
Timothy Starck, MD
Eric Werner, MD
Adam Young, MD
ASA ALTERNATE DELEGATES
Alisha Bhatia, MD
Wendy Binstock, MD
Rebecca Blumenthal, MD
Sasha Demos, MD
Norbert Duttlinger, MD
Ajay Gopalka, MD
Michael Haske, Jr., MD
George Hefner, MD
Barbara Jericho, MD
Balbino Lopez, MD
James Priepot, MD
John Sudkamp, MD
Peggy Wheeler, MD
ISA House of Delegates
Get more connected by joining us for a virtual meeting of the House of Delegates on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Active Status members interested in advancing the Society’s mission to educate, advocate and represent anesthesiologists practicing in Illinois are welcome to attend. The online registration form doubles as a delegate “self-nomination” – just register and you’re in.
The House of Delegates will meet from 8 am to 12 noon to elect officers, discuss issues affecting our specialty, and formulate an action plan for the Board to implement. Delegates are asked to bring issues that they think deserve the Society’s attention and keep their colleagues informed. Your District and/or Area is based on your practice location (see map).
Your participation will influence the practice of anesthesia in Illinois.
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ISA is governed by a House of Delegates which is the process we follow to elect officers and formalize a discussion into an action plan. Delegates are elected through a ballot process which has been revised to a self-nomination/ registration form. Everyone attending the meeting is asked to bring issues to the meeting that they think deserve attention and get informed. The meeting is typically held in April each year.
P A S T P R E S I D E N T S
2019‑2020 Sean Adams, MD
2018‑2019 Ori Gottlieb, MD
2017‑2018 Gary F. Tzeng, MD
2016‑2017 W. Scott Jellish, MD
2015‑2016 George G. Hefner, MD
2014‑2015 Timothy W. Starck, MD
2013‑2014 Thomas W. Cutter, MD
2012‑2013 Edward Yaghmour, MD
2011‑2012 Eric Werner, MD
2010‑2011 Asokumar Buvanendran, MD
2009‑2010 Ralph Glasser, MD
2008‑2009 Wendy B. Binstock, MD
2007‑2008 Joseph W. Szokol, MD
2006‑2007 John E. Szewczyk, MD
2005‑2006 Usharani Nimmagadda, MD
2004‑2005 W. Stephen Minore, MD
2003‑2004 David M. Rothenberg, MD
2002‑2003 Timothy R. Lubenow, MD
2001‑2002 John Paul McGee, II, MD
2000‑2001 Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, MD
1999‑2000 Kenneth J. Tuman, MD
1998‑1999 Sandra Drewes, MD
1997‑1998 Steven C. Hall, MD
1996‑1997 Andranik Ovassapian, MD
1995‑1996 Rodney C. Osborn, MD
1994‑1995 Jeffery Vender, MD
1993‑1994 Hugh C. Gilbert, MD
1992‑1993 Gary A. Draper, MD
1991‑1992 Naomi Sidell, MD
1990‑1991 Edward T. Toyooka, MD
1989‑1990 Susan Polk, MD
1988‑1989 Morton Shulman, MD
1987‑1988 J. Perry Jordan, MD
1986‑1987 Behrooz Zahed, MD
1985‑1986 Michael Cristoforo, MD
1984‑1985 Behrooz Zahed, MD
1984‑1984 William Gottschalk, MD
1983‑1984 Herbert M. Epstein, MD
1982‑1983 Bernard Wetchler, MD
1981‑1982 Robert B. Dodd, MD
1980‑1981 Ronald F. Albrecht, MD
1979‑1980 Anthony Ivankovich, MD
1978‑1979 M. Ramez Salem, MD
1977‑1978 Edward A. Brunner, MD
1976‑1977 Henri S. Havdala, MD
1975‑1976 R. Merle Stauffer, MD
1974‑1975 Adel A. El‑Etr, MD
1973‑1974 E. Trier Morch, MD, PhD
1972‑1973 Edward S. Evenson, MD
1971‑1972 Alon P. Winnie, MD
1970‑1971 Raymond Rose, MD
1969‑1970 John F. McKeage, MD
1968‑1969 Max Sadove, MD
1967‑1968 Vincent J. Collins, MD
1966‑1967 Ernest Dewhirst, MD
1965‑1966 Arthur T. Shima, MD
1964‑1965 James A. Felts, MD
1963‑1964 Max Sadove, MD
1962‑1963 Richard Lyons, MD
1961‑1962 Ernest F. Kreutzer, MD
1960‑1961 Harold L. Harris, MD
1959‑1960 Lawrence Ruttle, MD
1958‑1959 Huberta Livingston, MD
1957‑1958 James A. Felts, MD
1956‑1957 Bernard Stodsky, MD
1955‑1956 William O. McQuiston, MD
1954‑1955 Frank M. Grem, MD
1953‑1954 Herman J. Nebel, MD
1952‑1953 Lewis Hitchner, MD
1951‑1952 Bryce K. Ozanne, MD
1950‑1951 Charles Anderson, MD
1949‑1950 William O. McQuiston, MD
1948‑1949 W. Allen Conroy, MD
Lobby Day
Annual event held in March when we canvass the state capitol in Springfield to speak to legislators and explain the perspective of physician anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists must remain engaged with those who implement the changes that will ultimately affect patient safety.
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Resident Scholar Corner
Mariana Montes, MD, MPH When I applied to the ASA Resident Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs in February of 2020, I don’t think any of us could have imagined the turn of events that would follow. At the time, I was a CA2 resident, concerned about the...
Virtual ISA House of Delegates Elects New Leadership
Many thanks to the ISA Delegates that participated in the virtual Special Meeting of the House of Delegates this past weekend. The virtual format provided a means for us to keep the governance of the Society moving forward. However, it's just not the same as...
A Message from Past President Dr. Sean Adams
How many of your New Year’s predictions come true? At our 2019 ISA HOD, who could have predicted we would face something called COVID-19 that placed our specialty as a key frontline responder in Illinois?! Our last House of Delegates on April 27, 2019 had an...
Rothenberg
I have been involved with the ISA for almost 30 years and have seen the organization provide outstanding platforms for the education of our constituency, and most importantly, been at the forefront for advocacy in protecting the well-being of our profession.
David M. Rothenberg, M.D. – District 1
Buvanendran
The power of anesthesiologists working together against influences that adversely affect our practice, is priceless. Complaining does not affect change – get involved!
Asokumar Buvanendran, M.D. – ASA Alternate Disctrict Director
Hulata
Payments and reimbursements are constantly changing. ISA is a great place to know how to prepare as well as shape the future.
David Hulata, M.D. – Disctrict 11
Adams
My practice had a tedious challenge with EPIC documentation of post anesthesia notes which no one seemed able to efficiently resolve. I called a neighboring colleague that I met at an ISA meeting who already implemented EPIC at their practice. They happily solved my problem in ten minutes which would take hours and numerous emails otherwise. My professional network has grown through the events ISA provides.
Sean Adams, M.D. – District III
Tzeng
The ISA has been so fulfilling to me and my practice! The ISA has helped my practice strategize for the future through its educational conferences, provided opportunity for me to develop amazing personal and professional relationships, and helped me grow as a physician advocate by providing opportunities and skills to effectively educate legislators about the critical role of physicians and especially anesthesiologists. ISA continues to be invaluable for my professional and personal growth as such a physician and anesthesiologist. My involvement in the ISA allows me the unique opportunity to shape and steer our profession and my future by being a proactive participant rather than a passive audience in today’s changing medical landscape.
Gary Tzeng, M.D. – District III
Awards
Distinguished Service Award – presented to those physicians or scientists who have made outstanding contributions to this Society and/or the field of anesthesiology in the State of Illinois.
Nominations for the Award may be submitted by an Active, Honorary, or Life member of this Society to the most recent Past President at least sixty days prior to the annual meeting of the House of Delegates. Current ISA officers are not eligible for selection.
Do you know someone you would like to nominate? Contact us and tell us why at contact@isahq.org
William O. McQuiston Award – presented to an outstanding clinical anesthesiologist who has made and communicated significant contributions to the practice of anesthesiology in the spirit of William O. McQuiston, MD.
Ralph Waters Award – awarded to a physician or scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of anesthesiology as a medical discipline in the spirit of Ralph M. Waters, MD. Candidates are selected by the Ralph Waters Commission.